Student Handbook Chapter 7

7. Policies for Residence Halls and On-Campus Apartments

Although living on campus proves to be beneficial and enriching to most students, it is not for everyone. Sharing space with others requires patience, flexibility, and a certain amount of give and take. For those who are willing to make the necessary adjustments, living on campus can make the college experience much more memorable.

An important mission of the Department of Housing and Residential Life (HRL) is to maintain an environment conducive to community living and academic pursuits, in which the needs and rights of individual residents and those of the community as a whole are equally protected. We are also aware of the importance of a diverse community and therefore of an environment which respects varying lifestyles, backgrounds, and orientations. All residents will be responsible for abiding by all regulations and stipulations contained within this handbook and the HRL Housing Contract. All residents and their guests are expected to cooperate with HRL staff.

Within our on-campus living communities, residents are afforded certain rights and responsibilities. Personal rights will be balanced with responsibilities to the community. Each resident is entitled to sleep, study and pursue interests without the undue influence of others.

7.1 Bathrooms and Kitchens

Entering a bathroom facility designated for members of the opposite sex is prohibited. Students living in residence halls with suites and/or in apartments are also responsible for the regular cleaning of their semi-private and private bathrooms, as well as their semi-private, private and/or community kitchens. Residents will refrain from using community bathrooms while scheduled cleaning is being performed by University custodial personnel.

7.2 Athletic Equipment and Activities

Athletic equipment is to be used only in areas specifically designed for that equipment. Examples of unacceptable activities are: frisbees, ball-playing, darts, hockey, rollerblading, racquetball, tennis, squash, weight-lifting, bicycling or other disruptive behaviors in corridors, lounges, rooms and/or apartments.

7.3 Use of Residential Building Lounges, Study and Recreation Rooms

These areas are designed for use by residents, and their related functions will have priority. Any request for use of these areas beyond their intended function must be cleared through the residence Hall Director (HD), Site Manager or hall council.

7.4 Safety

All residents are responsible for taking reasonable measures to protect their own person and property and also that of their roommate(s) by routinely locking the door to their private student residence, by exclusively retaining their assigned key or lock combination, and by supporting and cooperating with efforts of University security personnel to provide a safe and secure residential hall community.

7.5 Unauthorized Entry

Unauthorized entry by any means into a student residence/residential building is strictly prohibited. Allowing anyone entry during those hours when the exit doors where applicable are locked for security purposes, either directly or through negligence (including propping doors), is strictly prohibited. During the times when the doors are locked, all residents must use their access card to unlock the main entrances of buildings equipped with the card access system. If students do not have their room key or access card on their person, they must go to the Access Office located in Adams Hall to borrow a key. Residents of University Terrace, North Village, University Gateway and University Village Apartment complexes must contact their Site Manager to gain access. No student may enter or exit a magnetically locked door.

7.6 Keys and Combinations

Only residents and authorized staff are permitted to have access cards, room combinations (combos) and keys to their student residence/residential building. Altering a door lock, unauthorized use of access cards and room and room combinations (combos), having additional keys made or installing locks is prohibited. Due to safety and security needs, any missing, lost or stolen keys will require a lock change at the resident’s expense.

7.7 Window, Wall and Carpet Coverings

Regulation window coverings have been provided in all student residences and all common areas. These may not be replaced except by HRL. All carpets, flags, and tapestries provided by students must have a “fire spread” rating below 25 and a “low smoke generation.” A certificate from the manufacturer, adhering to the above, must be available to the HRL on request.

7.8 Check-In and Check-Out

Each resident must officially check into and out of his or her student residence/residential building with the RHC/HD, Site Manager or designated staff. Undergraduate residential buildings have their check out schedules posted. In the checkout process, each resident is responsible for turning in his or her key and having their student residence inspected before departure. Upon checkout, a student residence must be left in the same condition as at the time of check-in. If a student residence is left in unsatisfactory condition, the resident will be billed for restoration charges. If a semi-private or private bathroom, or semi-private, private or community kitchen is left in unsatisfactory condition, the assigned resident(s) will be billed for any related restoration charges for the facility.

7.9 Modification of Student’s Room or Furnishings

Occupants may not dismantle, refinish, paint, dye, or alter in any way the furniture or furnishings in the student residence without permission from HRL. Lofts or any bed support systems of any kind (except those provided by HRL) are prohibited. Repair or renovations of a student residence by any external source is not permitted without the expressed approval of HRL. Residents are not allowed to have any University furnishings in their student residence except those present at check-in. With the exclusion of beds, students may add their own furnishings to the student residence. Undergraduate residents are not allowed to relocate their beds to any room other than that to which the student is registered without the hall director’s approval. Residents must never block the egress from their rooms at any time. Room doors must be allowed to open to full swing of the door. Egress from the door to the inside of the room must be kept clear at all times. This area must not be blocked with baskets, furniture, beds or bed frames encroaching in this area.

7.10 Room/Apartment Painting

Students are not allowed to paint their rooms or apartments unless approved by the Hall Director. In many residence hall locations, students may paint their rooms or apartments by completing a Paint Authorization Form, which is available through their Hall Director or Site Manager. University provided paint must be used.

7.11 Changes

Undergraduate students will not be allowed to initiate any room changes during the first three weeks of the start of a semester unless there is a problem of a serious nature that can only be alleviated by changing rooms. Prospective roommates are not subject to any preconditions or approval that would deny them access to any room, and students may not refuse prospective roommates. If, at the end of the fall semester, a student wishes to move, then that move must occur before the intercession, or by the date and time specified by HRL during the spring semester opening period.

7.12 Banners

Resident students may not hang, drape, or display any banner or object from or on the outside of balconies or windows at any time except for the purposes of official University business with prior approval from HRL.